Topic: CB550 Tire and Tube advice.

[deafanddiabetc]

First time I've posted and it feels good to be here.

My friend Wes has been with you guys awhile and he ran the Godzilla this year from Nebraska to Denver, I'm hoping to get out and meet some of you in the future.

Anyway, I have a '74 CB550 and I followed some advice from the forums and got a 712 Shinko front tire. I have now heard that it won't work because it's a tubeless tire and the front tire requires the tube.

Does this mean they reuse the existing one or will they charge me to install a new one in when I take it to the shop this weekend?

Thanks for helping a new kid.

[MoMo]

They will definitely put in a new tube-it is fairly inexpensive and a safety precaution that the shop should use.  Changing a tire is not all that difficult-buy a good set of tire irons and do it yourself,  and welcome....Larry

[Stev-o]

Welcome, any friend of Wes', is a friend of ours!

A tubeless tire will work with spoked wheels but you need a tube. Use a new one and replace the rim strip too ($2).

How old is the back tire? I like to change them in pairs.

PS. What kind of boards? I like snow and wake...

[deafanddiabetc]

@MoMo, I'd love to learn by doing it alone but I'd rather see it done procedurally before I try to put them on myself. Maybe in the future!

@Stev-O, We have a nice shop (Great Plains Cycle) in Lincoln that did my back tire a few months ago, so she's good. I believe they'll have to adjust the spokes, too. It wobbles very slightly, I'm hoping it won't mean scrapping it for a new rim. The bike is my only transportation now, hah.

I've never wakeboarded, but it looks sweet! I've been skateboarding almost 2 decades, helped build a couple skateparks here and no matter if my knees hurt I'll never let that lifestyle go, too much history.

[78 k550]

I really like the S11's for my 550 when I had it.

Paul

[Stev-o]

Check your swing arm for lateral play (side to side). Worn bushings could cause that wobble.

Post some pics of your bike.

[deafanddiabetc]

@Stev-O, I should've taken more building pictures but we always say that. She ran when I got it for 500$, but new plugs, points, condensers, carb kits, fluid changes and she runs like a dream. So thankful to have her while my car is out of commission now.

[Stev-o]

$500? Good deal

[Spike]

$500? Good deal

Great job bringing her back to life...

Where did you source the tail light set up??

[deafanddiabetc]

@Spike, it's reusing the same 3 wire setup that the original taillight did. I just removed the fender, built that bracket and hid the wiring under the seat.